Joseph R. Steffl Scholarship

PURPOSE: To honor the memory of Joseph Steffl, a Physician Assistant in Durbin by providing financial assistance to a graduating senior at high schools in both Pocahontas and Randolph Counties.

DISTRIBUTION: To be determined by the Scholarship Committee of TCF with approval of the Board of Directors. To be awarded to graduating seniors in both Pocahontas County and Randolph County who will attend a college in West Virginia to pursue a degree in either conservation and/or medicine. In Randolph County, the TCF Scholarship Committee will contact the Assistant Superintendent; in Pocahontas County, the Committee will contact the principal of Pocahontas County High School (Rt. 1, Box 133A, Dunmore, WV 24934) for their recommendation of students to be considered for the scholarship.

VARIANCE POWER: If, in the judgment of the TCF Board of Directors, the restrictions and conditions of the fund become unnecessary, incapable of fulfillment or inconsistent with the charitable needs of the community, the TCF Board of Directors maintains the right to modify the terms of this fund. TCF has exclusive legal control over any contributed assets.

BACKGROUND: Joseph R. Steffl was born in Wooster, OH on Oct. 20, 1971, the son of Richard and Shirley Steffl. He attended schools in Ohio and graduated from Bellaire Saint John High School in Bellaire, OH. HE attended West Liberty State College and graduated from Alderson-Broaddus College in 1998 with a degree in medical science (physician assistant). He married the former Robin Dadisman (also a physician assistant at Tucker community Care in Parsons, WV) on December 30, 1999. Together they made their home in Elkins, WV while Joe worked for Dr. Todd Corder from 1998 until 2000. At that time he went to work as a physician assistant and acting administrator of the Northern Pocahontas County Health Clinic in Durbin, WV. He was also an EMT affiliated with the Bartow-Franklin-Durbin Rescue Squad at Durbin and the Durbin Rescue Squad and the Pocahontas County Search and Rescue Team.

Joe was raised in the country in Ohio and came to West Virginia often with his father to hunt and fish. He grew to love it here and considered it his second home. He came to Parsons, WV with his father after the 1985 flood to help with clean-up efforts never realizing he would live and work here.

Joe loved the natural beauty of West Virginia and was an avid hunter, fisherman and hiker. He also loved to snowboard, bike and climb. His passion, though, was the rivers. He loved the water and kayaking was his favorite sport and one that he did often. He knew every river and stream and usually wound up with several “boater” friends every weekend that he could.

Joe lived life with an enthusiasm that few possess whether he was working or playing. He worked hard at preserving our state’s natural beauty. He greeted each day with a smile and contagious personality and any of us who were lucky enough to have known him will always remember and cherish his zest for life.

Joe died April 28, 2002 doing what he loved best. He was kayaking on the Shavers Fork River with friends near his home when he lost his life. Joe lived more in 30 years than most live in a lifetime and his memory will live on through the countless people he touched along the way.